The 1911 has been America’s fighting handgun for over a hundred years. Considered a workhorse, the 1911 has a sweet spot in all of our hearts. Regardless of your creed or dedication to the polymer pistols of today, you can appreciate the 1911 for the piece of history that it is.

And that’s what we’re here to talk about today. History. Auto Ordnance has released an homage to the WWII era 1911A1. This is history you can still shoot (and without risking the value of a collector’s piece). The 1911A1 from AO is that rare blend of nostalgia and function. These guns are basic, effective, and retail for much less than a hot-rod modified, 1911 or a legitimate war relic.

Fit and finish of the AO 1911 is surprisingly good for a gun in this price range.

The Auto Ordnance model 1911A1

Model: 1911PKZSE

Caliber: .45 ACP

Barrel Length: 5″

Weight: 39 oz.

Length: 8.5″

Safeties: Thumb safety, grip safety, firing pin block

Sight: Blade front, rear drift adjustable for windage

Grips: Brown checkered Plastic

Magazine: 7 round magazine

Warranty: 1 year

MSRP: $688, (retail is closer to $480)

Shooting

Shooting the Auto Ordnance WWII Parkerized is like stepping back in time. More than reminiscent of WWII issue 1911, this gun is a spot on replica–only without the wear and tear (a feature that will appeal to the living history buffs). It is a fair representation in almost every way.

Accuracy is on par with much more expensive 1911s. 2″ groups from 10 yards are easy.

The frame and slide are machined from steel castings and fit for reliability and not match-grade accuracy. It wouldn’t be an homage to the WWII era guns if it wasn’t reliable, so this makes sense. These guns shoot like they look. The controls are stiff, and the gritty take up in the trigger makes the gun feel as if it were manufactured on a WWII assembly line.

As bad as I make it sound, the reality is that the gun is well built. Considering the price point and throw-back design, I’d say it’s truly a bargain. This isn’t a pistol that will appeal to those looking for a 1911 for daily carry. This is a range toy of sorts. Not that it couldn’t be carried, or even used as a platform for modifications. But most of the market for this gun has a genuine interest in the gun for its historical feel, and not for its defensive potential.

And that brings us to the question of accuracy. This is where the AO is genuinely a surprise. There’s almost no rattle in the gun, and the barrel fits snugly in its bushing. From 10 yards, I shot consistent 2 inch groups. Recoil is modest, the trigger (which could be smoothed out easily enough) resets positively, and the gun keeps chugging magazine after magazine.

With the use of modern materials and machining techniques, these handguns are tight where it is necessary for accuracy and loose where it’s needed for reliability.

Ergonomics

If you know the early history of the 1911 just skip on down a bit. There’s literally nothing new here. While modern 1911s are getting thinner grips, or more checkering, this new old single-action is certainly not. This gun does have many features that were considered ergonomic in first half of the 20th century, but it is missing the now-ubiquitous over-sized controls, ambidextrous safeties, front strap checkering, flared mag-well, target sights, and forward cocking serrations.

But accept it for what it is. The lack of traction on the frame, the undersized controls, and the crude sights begin to grow on you. And it is a great way to test your Call-of-Duty skills. You want to know how hard your ancestors really had it? Run one of these along side a modern 1911, or whatever you carry, and see.

In the end

One of the best features of the AO is the price. Less than $500. There are scores of 1911s on the market now. The cheap imports keep getting better. And there are scores of American made 1911s that seem to differentiate themselves with higher prices (justified by all of the “customizations” that come standard. This working replica is going in the opposite direction. And AO isn’t inflating the price. What they’re offering is a solidly built, 100% reliable, surprisingly accurate American legend.

If you’re into the history-you-can-shoot, check out AO’s other guns. This is one of the company’s specialties.

I had to part with mine do to a company layoff during a bad bill week. I miss it it was my carry gun till I sold it. But, I might get another one it’s hard to beat an ALL AMERICAN classic made here in the states.

I bought Ao Bko 1911 version this handgun been out standing. I paid under $500.00 dollars for brand new. Slide frame fit is great it tight when shake handgun it does rattle so is finish. The benefits handgun get polish feed ramp throat barrel very reliable 1911. I took mine out door rang put 250 round 230 grain fmj through mine had zero issues using cheap triple k magazines work great in it. It does have one down side trigger is match grade litte bet heave bet stiff but smooth out well shooting it. It real shoot well my handgun at 15 yard shoot out middle stander bull size target at 15 yard with first shot ever fire in it. Been one best Gi stock 1911 I have ever own.

I bought my AO 1911 in 1987 as a transport arm so I would not be forced to draw one from an armory with all the added hassles to turn back in. I was hauling issue long rifles for unknown destinations. sic… Reason for the AO was it was the cheapest one under the glass, took it out back and it ran fine. Good enough.
Anyway, I think I am on the 5th , maybe sixth barrel. Mucho rounds and never a hiccup. That thing has been in more salt water than some sailors. Will eat anything without complaint and is just a good shooter. Yes, I did stone and polish some on the obvious places, but other than a mainspring, bushings and barrels, all original.
A few years ago I was contacted by a unique metal treatment outfit looking for reps. I was dubious about the effect on details of fit and function and they asked if I had a favorite firearm they could demo on. Well, you guessed it. I took them my beat up ol 45. It got a new look, kinda brushed stainless look. ( so much for that dark parkerizing is invisible thing, huh?)
Along with the newer look, that thing shoots better than ever! ANYway. When I die, maybe one of the youngsters will honor it and put it to intended purposes as the reliable shooter it has always been.

Bought a “blem” AO 1911PKZSE for $431 off the internet at Gunbuyer.com . Parkerized finish on the forward frame was not up to AO standards, as it had some crackle look to the finish. I think it was too thick. Only an appreance issue, which nobody spots unless I point it out. To the range once and all 50 rounds I had went thru it in complete perfection. A real joy to the traditionalists like myself. Accuracy was very good onvce I fired a few rounds to get the gage of it. You’ll not be wasting your money even at full price for this WW2 type 1911. Auto ordnace did a bang up job! Pun intended.

I recently purchased an A-O 1911A1BKO. Out the door complete with shipping and taxes it came to $478. I opted for the. black phosphate type finish. because I wanted as little light glare as possible.
I’ve been very impressed with this weapon. I spent 5 years of my service in the army as a battery and later battalion armorer back when the 1911A1 was the issued sidearm. Compared to the tired and over used Remington Rands, Colts and Union Switch and Signal 45’s we had in our arms room, the A-O is a joy to handle and fire. The relationship between slide and frame is snug compared to the old war horses I issued that was casual from wear to say the least. I found the accuracy of the A-O to be rather good. My only turn off from this weapon is its peculiar (to me!) magazine assembly. While it had no problems feeding standard military type FMJ ball while firing, it was baffled cycling HP and LSWC rounds. My standard issue USGI magazines performed flawlessly feeding all of these types of rounds through it.
All in all, I’m very impressed with this A-O product.

I’ve been a big fan of the 1911 for over 50 years. It’s nice that they kept the markings small like the originals, unlike some of the other brand’s markings that look like a large backlit sign. I too wish the hadn’t added the firing pin block.

Just did a local search here in south central PA (ever hear of the Red Land Little League!!)
One of these out the door for $495.24 including sales tax and fees. Might just have to add it to the collection!

I also own one of these I found on GB for under $500 shipping and all. Love it and it’s very accurate right out of the box! I also have a WW2 Rem. that my Dad carried in the European theater that I have shot, but only once!

I own one of these pistols, it is my second Auto Ordnance 1911. I am a big fan of the venerable .45 automatic as used by our military for decades and have my own 1944 Remington. The Remington shoots fine but it is too valuable to shoot much so my Auto Ordnance gets all of the range time. It is a faithful copy of the military .45, reliable, accurate, reasonably priced and the shooting experience is pure fun without the risk of damage or wear to a historic firearm.

Where do you find this magical sub-$500 price? The MSRP is $688 for this particular model. AO does have a model certified for California (PKZA), but I don’t see it on their web site, only models approved in MA, nor other (blued) models also approved for our market, leading me to suspect they’ve been discontinued. They do have a matte black finish pistol (1911BKO) which has a MSRP of $588, new for 2015, probably the same type of finish now seen on the low cost model SAA clones

We sell these at the Marine Corps Exchange for UNDER $500 and tax free all day long. Just look around and/or look up the part number. Once you have the part number, any FFL can look it up through their distributors.

Wish the PX had them when I bought one in 2011! As it was, I paid $549 total for the AO 1911A1 PKZ from a gun shop in Melbourne, FL. I received a Military issue magazine with it and had some I’d already purchased with the same markings. It looks great in the era holster and utility belt with the mag pouch! It also shot right out of the box (added some lubricant) with ball .45 with no issues. A complete gem of a .45 to own and shoot!

Author nailed it as did AO with this Classic throwback. I like it right down to the laynard ring which most service copies don’t have. Pay your dues as you get use to it. Your compact and larger Glock have them. Lol